Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Josh and I began our trip today. Well, rather we began it at a greatly decelerated pace. We arrived in Martinsburg, WV this morning at 1:45AM, many hours after our originally estimated time. We learned a valuable lesson today, whatever can go wrong, will. I've heard this formerly referred to as Murphy's Law, but I am tempted to lobby for the renaming of it to Dale's Law. Heck I would settle for a hyphen. Murhpy-Dale’s Law. Either way. Our journey began this morning, around 9:00AM, when Josh's father informed me that the inspection sticker ran out on my car in two days. Wonderful. This put a slight delay on our departure, but whatever, it’s better than being pulled over for a sticker violation right? So we drive over to the inspection depot, "Sticker Station" to put my car through the paces and get our holy little sticker that says the Cranberry Crusader is street legal. Routine operation. However, after our nearly hour and a half wait, the mechanic informs me that the front ball joint-thingy on my wheel is loose. I had little idea what that meant, but he showed me that the wheel went "Wobble-wobble" when he wiggled it, so I took his word for it that a repair was needed. Another delay. I think you can see where this is going. So Josh's father graciously schedules us an appointment at the local Goodyear to have it repaired. Josh and I begin to make our way over to the garage, with me trailing him in my car so he can lead me there and give me a ride back to his home while he waits. We approach a rather busy intersection and I see Josh's Jeep just barely squeak through the green light as it turns yellow. I, in a desperate attempt to follow him quickly speed up to try and keep pace with him. Unfortunately for me, just as I was driving below the light, it turned to red, and even more unfortunate, the Biddeford police were on traffic-light duty today. I was convinced that I had made it through cleanly, however as I make my way from the intersection, I see the flashing blue lights in my mirror, and immediately pull to the side of the road, assuming they will pass by me. They did no such thing. The officer hits me with a tidy little $130 fine (Dale's Law). Despite the fiasco, we get my car delivered, and it has a rather timely repair, so we are able to pick it up around 1:30PM and finally begin our trip, albeit 4 hours later than we would have liked to have left. We then spent the next 12 hours driving, talking, eating at our friend Danielle and her wonderfully kind mothers house, sitting in traffic in NYC, and then finally, at long last, laying in our white linens at the Martinsburg, WV Motel 8 (An absolute class act by the way). Phew. Hopefully tomorrow’s entry will be less stress filled. Though that would make for a far less entertaining read. Hm, I'll see what I can do.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Josh and I have started to plan our great voyage...erm, drive. Josh (our resident cinematographer) was kind enough to film a video tracing our route down the east coast, through the upper west, and finally our destination, sunny So-Cal. We have figured out it is going to take roughly six days (if all goes to plan of course), however we are allowing ourselves ample time in the case that we get a flat-tire, arrested, raided by biker gangs, etc. Or the more likely scenario that I wander out into the desert taking photos, and am never seen again.... The route is roughly 4000 miles, give or take. My poor Subaru (The Cranberry Crusader, for those who are unaware of its official title) wont ever be the same.

We have decided on a new departure date, now the 30th of December, as we have recently been informed by Ruth that we are unable to move into our apartment until the 5th of January.

Well, we have all gotten our paper-work done, classes are wrapping up, we are all getting ready to move out of the dorm, and I finally got my "highway-cruising-Oklahoma-State-Policemen-I-need-to-grow-a-handle-bar-mustache" sunglasses (pictured). We are ready to embark on our voyage.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Well things are starting to get off the ground. Josh and I (Matthew, I will likely be the narrator for the majority of the blog) have recently received our AAA Travel Books, outlining hotels, food, and attractions in the majority of the states we are traveling through. I have also ordered a GIANT map of the US Highway/Interstate System that we will be outlining our route on. Tentative departure date is the 28th of December, and James is planning on flying in the day after Josh and I arrive at the apartment (we are driving for those that were unaware). We have all signed up for our classes, and are currently working on getting all the paperwork done, and brushing up on our 3D skills. Thanks for reading!